How and why does participation begin and continue?

Research questions

Can trends and patterns of participation be identified over time?

What connections, if any, are there between different forms and episodes of participation and what triggers movement between them?

Approach

3 field work areas:

LeedsEnfieldSuffolk

Individual at the heart

Qualitative research

101 in-depth interviews

Participation as ‘situated practice’

Stakeholder engagement

Life stories

What is participation?Social participation: the collective activities that individuals are involved in

Public participation: the engagement of individuals with the various structures and institutions of democracy

Individual participation: people’s individual actions and choices that reflect the kind of society they want to live in

The factors that shape participationIndividual motivations and resources

Relationships and social networks

Groups and organisations

Local environment and place

Wider societal and global influences

What is participation?

Common features:VoluntaryAbout actionCollective or connectedPurposeful

Perceptions of participation are contradictory

Participation impacts on people and places

Conflict and tension are an integral part of participation

Participation is widespread

Why participation starts

An emotional reactionA personal life eventAn external influence

Practical resources

Learnt resourcesFelt resources

Groups and organisationsLocal environment and

place

Helping othersDeveloping relationshipsExercising values &

beliefsHaving influenceFor personal benefitBeing part of something

Why participation continues or stops

Engagement in democracy

The language and image

The accessibilityThe practice

Language and image

Perceptions of activities were important

Perceptions of the political system

But perceptions can be overcome

Not ‘political’

Voting a ‘civic duty’

Safe seats discourage political participation

Politicians seen as self-serving

Positive opinions of particular political representatives

Low levels of trust and confidence

Practice

Opportunities to participate

Negative experiences of public consultations

Perceptions of impact

No examples of public bodies proactively engaging with people

Examples of bringing about change through lobbying

Tokenistic and/or repetitious

Decision already made

People wanted to see the impact of their participation

Tension between motivation of citizens and needs of public bodies

Accessibility

Opportunities to participate

People’s resources

Relationships and groups

Need to complement people’s lives

Need to respond to their needs motivations and expectations

A lack of resources stop people from participating

Sometimes due to systemic inequalities

Groups important source of public participation

Relationships can determine success of participation

Pay attention to accessibility and inclusivity.

See participation as a point along a journey for citizens.

People do not think in terms of process or activity, they think in terms of experience, impact, values and beliefs, and concerns, needs and wants.

Implications for democratic reform

Social

Personal Meaningful

Create opportunities for involvement that are: